Sailing World Cup Hyeres - Hook Finger is back

British Sailing Team 470 crew Eilidh McIntyre is returning to competition at this week's ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres after fracturing her finger in a training accident. Here she explains how she got the nickname 'Eilidh Hook Finger' and talks of her excitement at getting back racing again . . .

After fracturing her index finger in a training accident, Hayling Island sailor Eilidh McIntyre says she can’t wait to get racing again as she and Sophie Weguelin return to action at this week’s ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres.

The world number three-ranked 470 crew has been off the water since the incident in Palma six weeks ago, and was forced to sit out the penultimate stage of the World Cup series at the Mallorcan venue earlier this month.

“My teammates called me ‘Eilidh Hook Finger’!” explained the Portland-based sailor, as a result of the wire in her finger, which was removed a day before her trip to the southern French venue.

But in spite of the disruption to their early-season schedule, McIntyre – whose father Mike won Olympic sailing gold in 1988 – insists she and Weguelin, who won bronze together at this same event a year ago, are still on track with their plans for the year, which are building towards the World Championships in Santander in September.

he duo will line up against 54 other crews in the 470 women’s event at this final World Cup event of the 2013/14 season, and had their first day back training on Saturday (19 April), which McIntyre says went well, with her splinted finger holding up to the test.

“It felt really good – it was brilliant to be back on the water. We couldn’t have had a better day, it was so lovely. We had quite a big range of wind as well, which was really nice.

Racing at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Hyeres gets underway on Easter Monday (21 April) with the Paralympic Classes concluding on Friday 25 April and the final medal races for the Olympic Classes on Saturday 26 April. “I’ve got a bit of a sausage finger now, but it’s OK. I’m sure I’ll be fine!”